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VENDING MACHINE. No. 476,281. Patented May 17, 1892.

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VENDING MACHINE. No. 475,281. Patented May 1'7, 1892. 7 7/ v7. 7x 5 20 Wain/ass as Mat/A4414 B ence being had therein to the accompanying NITED TATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM G. LATIMER, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE NATIONAL MATCH SELLING MACHINE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

VENDING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 475,281, dated May 17, 1892.

Application filed August 29, 1891. Serial No. 404,047- (N'o model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM G. LATIMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of \Vayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vending-Machines, of which the following is a specification, referdrawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in merchandise-vending machines of that classin whicha coinis inserted in the machine and by the manipulation of actuating mechanism (put into operative contact by the coin) an article of merchandise is delivered.

In the drawings and specification I have shown my invention as applied to deliver boxes containing matches or other articles.

The invention consists in the peculiar construction of the receptacle for the boxes, the feed mechanism therefor, the delivery mechanism, and the delivery-actuating mechanism, and, further, in the peculiar construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts, all as more fully hereinafter described.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my device, showing two complete delivery and feed mechanisms in one casing. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through one delivery and feed mechanism. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on line 00 00, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section on line 3 y, Fig. 3, showing the delivery-chute partially operated. Fig. 5 is adetached perspective view of theactuatingshaft and coin-holder. Fig. 6 is a section on line 2 2:, Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a section on line 'u c, Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a similar section showing the parts in the beginning of the movement. Fig. 9 is a similar section showing the parts just approaching the end of the movement to deliver a box. Fig. 10 shows both sides of the delivery-chute in perspective. Fig. 11 is a section on line 2 a, Fig. 4, looking toward the left.

My casing I preferably make in two like partsA B, hinged together, the upper section being provided with a glass top 0.

Dis a central partition detachably secured in position between the two parts, as plainly shown in Fig.2. This partition extends from one end of the casing to the delivery-chute at the other end and carries the feed mechan- E are guides, forming between them suitable ways for the boxes F.

G are cross-heads sliding in guide-grooves G, formed in the upper face of the partition. These cross-heads act to feed the boxes forward by the tension of a spring-actuated 6o drum H, j ournaled upon the shaft H, on which are wound cords H passing over guide-rollers H at the front edge of the partition,as plainly shown in Fig. 2, and connected to the crossheads.

I preferably put in my casing two complete devices side by side for convenience and to give the necessary storage capacity in compact form. As both devices are alike, a description of one will be sufficient.

I is a disk-shaped head having the camshaped fiangeaon its upper edge and a flange b on its lower edge, the whole forming the delivery-chute.

J is a plate secured at one end of the top and provided with suitable apertures to allow of the delivery of the boxes therethrough, also having coin-slots J. The flange a on the delivery-chute in its normal position closes the delivery-apertures in this plate, as plainly shown in Fig. 2, and this chute is adapted to be rotated, in the manner hereinafter described, to turn its open end toward these apertures to allow of the delivery therethrough of the box of merchandise.

K is a shaft journaled in bearings formed in the frame K, secured at one end of the casing. This shaft extends some distance into the casing, and the delivery-chute is j ournaled upon its inner end. At its outer end the shaft is provided with a suitable hand- Whee]. In.

M is a coin-holder secured upon the shaft K, with a suitably-shaped coin-receptacte M, formed in its upper face beneath the coin- 5 slot J. This holder is adapted to receive the coin as it is inserted through the slot, and is a sufficient distance below the plate J to allow of its free rotation without striking the plate.

M is a circular guard-plate secured to the coin-holder and adapted to be rotated beneath the coin-slot to prevent the insertion of any article when the coin-holder is turned away from the slot.

N is a spring for normally holding the coinholder beneath the slot in the position shown in Fig. 7.

O is a spring-catch engaging with a notched bearing 0, formed in a circular flange 0 formed on the inner face of the delivery-chute. This catch normally holds the delivery-chute in the position shown in Fig. 2. In the normal position of the parts the actuating-shaft K and the delivery-chute are not connected.

The mechanism which I have shown for connecting the actuating-shaft with the deliverychute consists of an arm 0, hinged upon the pin d, formed on the face of the deliverychute and having a slotted bearing e formed upon its inner face.

fis a shoulder on the coin-holder, adapted to engage in the slotted bearing after a partial revolution of the actuating-shaft. In the normal position of the parts a standard g supports the arm 0 and allows the shoulder f to disengage from the arm 0, as plainly shown in Fig. 7. In its rotation in the opposite direction the shoulder engages with the lower edge h of the bearing, carrying the chute with it, and as soon as the arm 0 has become disengaged from the standard g it will fall by gravity into the bearing 8 and form aconnection between the two parts.

The operation of the mechanism thus far described is as follows: The coin being inserted through the slot falls into the coinholder. The operator turns the hand-wheel L, which carries the actuating-shaft and coinholder with it, bringing the coin into contact with the spring-catch 0, which is in the path of the coin, and so arranged that the coin will disengage the spring-catch from the de livery-chute and rotate the same to its open position, which is shown in Fig. 9. As soon as the coin has passed the spring-catch it will drop out; but the curved bearing M will still hold the catch out of engagement with the delivery-chute and allow it to freely turn. The return movement of the shaft will carry the delivery-chute with it by means of the clutch mechanism described, and the springcatch will again engage with the bearing 0 and lock the chute in its closed position. Unless a coin the size of a penny is in the coinholder it will not strike the spring-latch and the machine will remain inoperative. A larger coin than a penny cannot be inserted through the slot in the plate J, and a smaller coin than a penny will not operate the device, while paper, tin, &c., are rendered ineffectual by being bent in turning the coinholder against the spring-catch O. The merchandise may be delivered in any suitable manner from the delivery-chute. I preferably employ a throwing-out mechanism of the following construction: P is a spring secured to the under side of the partition D and extending beyond the end thereof beneath the delivery-chute. This spring is provided with a plate P and an actuating-finger P. Q 18 a curved bearing extending from one side of the delivery-chute to near the middle thereof. The feed-chute being filled with boxes, the feed mechanism will force one of the boxes into the delivery-chute, which is in its normal position, as shown in Fig. 2. In this position the box rests upon the flange b of the chute. The operator dropping the coin connects the delivery-chute with the actuating-shaft, and in turning the same the corner of the box Wlll strike upon the plate P and slightly depress the spring, as shown in Fig. Aha sufficient dis tance to allow the curved bearing Q to engage with the finger P of the spring. As the box continues to rotate, the curved bearingwill continue to depress the spring until the chute has reached the position shown in Fig. 9, with open end opposite the aperture in the plate J. At this point the curved bearing Q is disengaged from the spring, which immediately straightens out and throws the box from the delivery-chute outside the casing. As the delivery-chute begins its rotation the camshaped bearing 7r upon the rear of the flange a engages with the boxes which yet remain in the feed-chute and gradually force them back, so as to prevent their being struck by the spring to separate them from the remaining boxes in the feed-chute and also to lock them from withdrawal. WVhen the operator releases his hold of the hand wheel L, the spring N returns the parts to their normal position and the feed mechanism forces another box into the delivery-chute ready for another operation.

VVh-at I claim as my invention is 1. Ina merchandise-vendingapparatus, the combination, with a delivery-feed trough, of a chute registering therewith, means for actuating the chute, and a spring governed by the movement of the chute for forcibly ejecting the merchandise from and free of the apparatus and chute, substantially as described.

2. Ina merchandise-vending apparatus, the combination, with the casing having a coin and delivery opening therein, of a feed-trough arranged to receive a number of separate articles of merchandise, a delivery-chute registering therewith, means for actuating the delivery-chute, and a spring for forcibly and separately ejecting the merchandise through the delivery-opening free of the apparatus as the chute is actuated, substantially as described.

3. In a merchandise-vendin g apparatus, the combination of the casing having a deliveryopening therein, a delivery-chute normally closing the opening, means for actuating the chute, a coin-receiver, a lock actuated by a coin in the receiver, and a spring compressed by the chute for forcibly ejecting the merchandise from and. free of the chute and said delivery-opening, substantially as described.

4.. In amerchandise-vendingapparatus, the combination, with acasing having a deliveryopening therein, of a delivery-chute for normally closing the opening,a feed-trough with which the chute communicates, a shaft having acoin-receptacle thereon, a clutch connection between the coin-receptacle and chute, and a spring compressed by the movement of the chute and arranged to engage and forcibly ejectthe merchandiseon the chute through the delivery -opening, substantially as described.

5. In a merchandise-vending apparatus, the combination, with the casing having a delivery-opening therein, the mouth of which is presented upwardly, of a delivery -chute, means for actuating the chute upon the presence of a coin,and a spring for forcibly ej ecting the merchandise from the chute through the delivery-opening upon the actuation of the chute, substantially as described.

6. In a merchandise-vending apparatus, the combination of the rotary delivery-chute, a lock therefor, an actuating-shaft adapted to release said lock through the medium of a coin, and mechanism to connect said shaft and chute upon the release of said lock, substantially as described.

7. In amerchandise-vending apparatus, the combination of a throwing-out mechanism, the rotary delivery chute comprising the plate I, having a flange a, forming the support for the package in its normal position, and the flange b, adapted to actuate the throwingout mechanism, substantially as described.

8. The delivery-chute I, the shaft K, upon which it is journaled, the c0in-holder M therei on, the hinged arm a, forming one m ember of a clutch and having the slotted bearing e on its inner face, and the lugf on the shaft adapted to engage in said bearing and forming the other member of the clutch, substantially as described.

9. In amerchandise-vending apparatus, the combination of the shaft K, the chute I, journaled thereon, the arm a, hinged thereto and having bearing e, and standard g, normally supporting said arm, and the lug f, adapted to engage in the bearing a in the rotation of the chute to couple the shaft and chute, sub stantially as described.

10. In a merchandise-vending apparatus,

the combination, with a rotary chute, a feedtrough leading thereto, and a shaft on which the chute is-loosely mounted, of a coin-receiver, a lock for the chute, actuated by a coin in the receiver, and a clutch between the chute and coin -receptacle, substantially as described.

11. In a merchandise-vending apparatus, the combination of the rotary chute I, the curved arm thereon, the spring P, and the curved arm acting to strike said spring and put the same under tension and release it to throw the package from the casing when the chute is turned to its open position, substantially as described.

12. In a merchandise-vending apparatus, the combination, with the case having a delivery-opening therein normally closed, the mouth of which is presented upward, of a delivery-chute, means for opening the deliveryopening by the presence of a coin, and a spring forforcibly ejecting the merchandise from the chute and through the deliveryopening, substantially as described.

13. In a merchandise-vending apparatus, the combination, with the casing having a delivery-opening therein, and a storagecompartment for a quantity of separate articles of merchandise, of means for successively presenting the articles of merchandise to the opening, a spring for forcibly ejecting the articles through the opening and free of the apparatus, and means for compressing the spring, substantially as described.

14. In a merchandise-vending apparatus, the combination, with the casing having a storage compartment for the merchandise and a delivery-opening therein, of a spring for forcibly ejecting the merchandisethrough the opening and free of the apparatus, means for compressing the spring, and a lock actuated by a coin for controlling the compressing movement of the spring-compressing means, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM G. LATIMER.

Witnesses:

JAMES WHITTEMORE, M. B. ODoGHERTY. 

